The Death of Ivan Ilych

Leo Tolstoy's late masterpiece on dying and the unravelling of the values of his middle-class protagonist.

Public Domain (P)2018 Lark Audiobooks

A classic, yes, but .....

The performance of the reader was flawless. As for the story, I could have done with about one third of the death chapters and still gotten the point.

This is my honest review about this book.

I' am shocked to find somebody actually wrote a book about the same kind of problems I' ve been having in my 20's that only now in my 30's I have started to be able to pinpoint in how I've been living my life so wrongly. That is crazy. It is sad to hear the thought of somebody actually dying due to this kind of problem in their 40's like Ivan. To think somebody thought to write a book about this kind of issue in 1886 in Russia and here we are now in 2021 and now I' am complaining about that same over all problem at the age of 30 is shocking and eye opening. Thankfully I' am in perfect health and coming to terms with this now before things like what happens to Ivan happens to me. This book terrifyingly relates to me as my parents essentially unbeknownst to them essentially tried to make me think and live like this Ivan Ilyich guy whether they meant to or not essentially. In case there is somebody out there reading this review which would be to my shock know this about this book. Chapters 1 through 8 are all about setting the seen and theme of this Ivan guy while chapter 9 through 12 will just blow your mind with reality. I suggest try to picture yourself in this Ivan guys shoe either as a guy or a girl and try and relate to him before chapter 9 in the book. Then feel and get in touch with your own feelings more as you relate to Ivan and look back at your life. It will be at that point your jaw may drop. It makes you think a little and wonder where you have spent most of your life or so I think it does. I wish societies did not allow for this kind of scenario like what happen to Ivan to be so prevalent in the world. This is a real problem of the world now a days especially with global health issues arising all over the place in 2020 and in 2021. The theme and over arching take away from this book you as a reader should take away from this book is find your honest highest happiness and and what ever that is surround your self with it or at least be able to be near it when you feel you need it. I say that because you never know when your life is up and I know you do not want your last moments to be like Ivan Ilyich from Russia. That man's problems is what people all over the world are having right now with the forced realization for many to half to come to terms with. There is what 8 billion people in the world and I would wager 1 billion of those people do not see this kind of problem before it feels like for most of them it is too late in life. This is one scary book that can really run deep for some and just make you cringe in boredom for the first part of the book with boredom followed by the realization that this guys life could be yours too if you do not pick up on it soon enough and hopefully before you get married. This book is for mature people so once you read it spread the word far and near for people to fix their selfish issues now because later there will be some real darkness you will half to face as you get closer to your potential death one day.

Truly engaging

Narration was excellent.
Deep and meaningful story which will take some time to digest thoroughly.
Tolstoy is a genius.

Great story, great performance

Highly recommend this all time great novella. Proceeds quickly but with good depth. Wonderful character exploration. Very involved performance by the narrator who adds to the drama.